The unbelievers among the people of the Book, and among the idolaters, desire not that any good should be sent down to you from your Lord: but God will shew His special mercy to whom He will, for He is of great bounty.

Whatever verses we cancel,⁴⁴ or cause thee to forget, we bring a better or its like. Knowest thou not that God hath power over all things?

Knowest thou not that the dominion of the Heavens and of the Earth is God’s? and that ye have neither patron nor helper, save God?

Would ye ask of your apostle what of old was asked of Moses? But he who exchangeth faith for unbelief,⁴⁵ hath already erred from the even way.

Many of the people of the Book desire to bring you back to unbelief after ye have believed, out of selfish envy, even after the truth hath been clearly shewn them. But forgive them, and shun them till God shall come in with His working. Truly God hath power over all things.

And observe prayer and pay the legal impost:⁴⁶ and whatever good thing ye have sent on before for your soul’s sake, ye shall find it with God. Verily God seeth what ye do.

And they say, “None but Jews or Christians shall enter Paradise:” This is their wish. SAY: Give your proofs if ye speak the truth.

But they who set their face with resignation Godward, and do what is right,—their reward is with their Lord; no fear shall come on them, neither shall they be grieved.

Moreover, the Jews say, “The Christians lean on nought:” “On nought lean the Jews,” say the Christians: Yet both are readers of the Book. So with like words say they who have no knowledge.⁴⁷ But on the resurrection day, God shall judge between them as to that in which they differ.

And who committeth a greater wrong than he who hindereth God’s name from being remembered in his temples, and who hasteth to ruin them?⁴⁸ Such men cannot enter them but with fear. Their’s is shame in this world, and a severe torment in the next.

The East and the West is God’s: therefore, whichever way ye turn, there is the face of God:⁴⁹ Truly God is immense and knoweth all.

And they say, “God hath a son:” No! Praise be to Him! But—His, whatever is in the Heavens and the Earth! All obeyeth Him,

Sole maker of the Heavens and of the Earth! And when He decreeth a thing, He only saith to it, “Be,” and it is.

And they who have no knowledge say, “Unless God speak to us, or thou shew us a sign …!” So, with like words, said those who were before them: their hearts are alike: Clear signs have we already shewn for those who have firm faith:

Verily, with the Truth have we sent thee, a bearer of good tidings and a warner: and of the people of Hell thou shalt not be questioned.

But until thou follow their religion, neither Jews nor Christians will be satisfied with thee. SAY: Verily, guidance of God,—that is the guidance! And if, after “the Knowledge” which hath reached thee, thou follow their desires, thou shalt find neither helper nor protector against God.

They to whom we have given the Book, and who read it as it ought to be read,—these believe therein: but whoso believeth not therein, shall meet with perdition.